Short hops and hard knocks with Red Sox beat writer Ian Browne.

Lester shelled in bid for big 2-oh

While the air came out of the balloon a little two nights ago when the Red Sox were mathematically eliminated, there was some excitement entering tonight’s game, as Jon Lester was going for his first 20-win season.

But it didn’t happen. Not even close. Lester was simply shelled, giving up nine hits and eight runs over four-plus innings. He walked five and struck out five, throwing 99 pitches in such a short span.

Still, the season Lester had was just another stage in his impressive development.

“It speaks to a number of things,” said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. “His talent, as consistent as it’s been, and yet there’s been a couple of stretches in there where if it had gone any differently, he might be looking at a number north of 20. Sure, it’s a benchmark that I think every starting pitcher envisions at the beginning of a season and to his credit, not only has he remained healthy, but his commitment to his work and his never-ending pursuit to improve and find ways to get better, he deserves all the credit for taking that approach and making the sacrifices to keep competing at the highest level the utmost priority in his baseball life.”

“I think any time you have the ability to work with someone that talented and that committed to his work really makes it exciting to go through a five-day cycle with him and live somewhat vicariously through him when he takes the mound. He’s been through a lot on a personal level, that’s been well documented. But to see it really play out and have him become one of the top pitchers in baseball, we’re all proud of him. There have been many people along the way that have had an impact on him and again, he deserves all the credit in the world.”

What has Lester improved on this year?

“His changeup continues to make sizable gains. From a fundamental standpoint, that pitch in and of itself, his ability to use his cutter on both sides of the plate is something that he’s added to his pitch mix, particularly in to lefties. With those two things to consider, it has allowed his strikeout total to continue to climb and make him very difficult to sit on any one pitch on any one side of the plate,” said Farrell.

Well, unfortunately, one of the “milestones” I was hoping we’d achieve this year– Lester’s 20th win– didn’t happen. I’m disappointed for Jon, as that would have been a good way to end his year. It was not to be.
Perhaps we can still make the Yankees’ ride to the postseason a little bumpier. Neither they nor the Rays are exactly setting the world on fire.
I will, otherwise, be watching Mike’s retirement. I will greatly miss him on our team, but I’m glad he made up his mind early on. I am also happy he is retiring in a Red Sox uniform. THANKS, MIKE! GO SOX!

Very disappointed that Lester didn’t get his 20th. It’s unlikely that Sox will reach 90 wins. Make the Yanks sweat by taking 2 out of 3.
No 100 wins in the ML either. The Yanks and the Rays aren’t as formidable as we expected. Oh well.

The attenuation of the Sox.
2008, one game away from the World Series
2009, blown away in the first round of the playoffs
2010, not even make the playoffs.
2011 ??? Below .500. Why are the Sox getting worse each and every year?
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Wha happened?
Was it Elmer Epstein and his moves?
Was it the downfall of Beckett and Lackey?
Was it the loss of Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Youk and Lowell?
Was it the continuous decline of Dice-K?
Was it just the pile of injuries?
Was it all of the above?
More of a combination of all of the above but nevertheless the Sox have to come out strong next year. The fans will not wait forever at those Fenway Park ticket prices.
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I find it humorous that Theo Epstein commented on the lack of a great year for Beckett and Lackey but said nothing about Dice-K. Is Dice-K a lost cause? Why did we get him in the first place?
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My wishes for next year:
Dump J.D. Drew on somebody.
Dump Dice-K on somebody.
Keep Beltre. He’s perfect for Boston despite his price.
Dump Cameron on somebody.
Dump Scutaro on somebody.
Fire John Farrell and get somebody that can manage the pitching staff.
Get back A-Gonz, get back V-Mart, get a bullpen that works and fire Theo Epstein.
.
Oh well, the beauty of baseball is not the eventual outcome but the excitement and unpredictability of the game, the joy of a great win and the awe of watching the game played the way it was meant to be played. In the end, I look forward to the playoffs. It will be an interesting time.

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